The Return of the Sheikh. KRISTI GOLD
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with your advice, you’ll refrain from arguing,” he said.
That could prove to be a challenge. “Okay.”
“You will consult me before you plan your soirées, and you will let me approve the guest lists.”
Considering his lack of popularity, it could prove to be a short list. “Fair enough.”
“And you will adhere to my schedule, which means I will decide the time and the place for our meetings.”
“I assumed your study would be the most appropriate meeting place.”
“It might be necessary to find a more private venue.”
Now she had her own terms to present. “As long as it’s not your bedroom.”
He smiled. “You’re not the least bit curious about my royal quarters?”
Oh, yes, she was. “No. Anything else?”
He feigned disappointment. “I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve determined what I expect beyond what we’ve already discussed.”
Talk about being vague. But she’d accept vague as long as she could continue as planned. “We’ll go over your upcoming schedule in the morning, Your Highness, and plan accordingly.”
“Call me Zain.”
Her mouth momentarily dropped open over the request. “That’s a bit too informal, don’t you think?”
“When we’re alone, I want you to call me by my given name. Otherwise, our agreement terminates immediately.”
What kind of game was he playing? Only time would tell, and Madison hoped she didn’t find herself on the losing end.
She came to her feet and tugged at the hem of her blouse. “Whatever floats your boat, Zain. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to my room to relax.”
“You are excused. For now.”
Madison had only made it a few steps toward the door before Zain uttered the single word. “Black.”
She turned and frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You’re wearing black lingerie.”
Did the man have X-ray vision? “Why are you so fascinated with my underwear?”
His grin arrived slowly. “Am I correct?”
She folded her arms beneath her breasts. “That’s for me to know—”
“And for me to find out?”
She should’ve known he’d been in America long enough to learn all the little sayings. “That’s for me to know, period. Anything else? Or would you like to discuss your royal underwear?”
His grin deepened. “I have nothing to hide.”
That remained to be seen. She intended to leave well enough alone before she was tempted to abandon the good-sense ship. Before she gave in to the tiny little spark of awareness or the slight full-body shiver brought about by his deadly smile. “I’m going now.”
He finally rose from the chair. “I suggest you watch the sunset from the terrace outside your room. I’ll have Elena send up some of her special tea to help you relax.”
She’d be more relaxed as soon as she got away from all his charisma. “What kind of tea?”
“I’m not certain,” he said as he strolled toward her and stopped only a foot or so away. “I’ve never tried it. I do know it is formulated to help a person sleep.”
She’d probably have no trouble sleeping the moment her head hit the pillow. “Thank you, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You’re welcome.” He reached out and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “If the tea doesn’t help you sleep, my room is next door to yours. Feel free to wake me.”
“What for?” As if she really had to ask.
“Whatever you need to help you relax.”
She suddenly engaged in one heck of a naked-body fantasy that made her want to run for cover. “I assure you I won’t need anything to help me relax.”
“Let me know if you change your mind.”
“I won’t be changing my mind.” She turned toward the door then faced him again when something dawned on her. “By the way, if all this innuendo is some ploy to scare me off, save your breath. I’ve been propositioned by the best.” And the worst of the worst.
He looked almost crestfallen. “I’m wounded you would think I would resort to such underhanded tactics.”
Maybe she had overreacted a tad. Some men just happened to be blessed with the flirtation gene. “My apologies if I’m wrong about your motives.”
“Actually, you are correct,” he said. “That was my original plan. But you have bested me, so I promise to behave myself from this point forward.”
She had a hard time believing that. “Well, in case you should get any more bright ideas, just know it will take more than a few well-rehearsed, suggestive lines to send me packing. I’ve spent many years studying human nature, and I know what you’re all about.”
He braced a hand on the doorframe above her head. “Enlighten me, Madison.”
The sound of her name rolling softly out of his mouth, his close proximity, was not helping her concentration. “You use your charm to discourage perceived threats to your control, and to encourage the results you wish to achieve, namely driving people away. But beneath all that sexy macho bravado, I believe you’re a man with a great deal of conviction when it comes to his country’s future. Am I correct?”
“Perhaps you are only projecting your need for control on me. I believe at times giving up control to another is preferable. Have you never been tempted to throw out logic and act on pure instinct?”
Her instincts told her he wasn’t referring to a professional relationship. “Not when it comes to mixing business with pleasure, if that’s what you’re asking. Don’t forget we’re trying to repair your reputation, not enhance it.”
He had the nerve to show his pearly whites to supreme advantage. “Sometimes the pleasure is worth the risk.”
“I thought you promised to behave.”
He straightened and attempted to look contrite. “My apologies. I was momentarily struck senseless by your analysis.”
Before she was momentarily struck stupid and kissed that smug, sexy smile off his face, Madison made a hasty exit.
She hadn’t lied when she’d admitted she’d been propositioned before. She had lied when she’d claimed she hadn’t been tempted to cross professional lines, because she had—the moment she’d reunited with Zain Mehdi.
Three
Perception is everything…
Zain had to agree with Madison on that point. He’d always been perceived as a man with a strong affinity for attractive women, a fact he could not deny. Yet that standing had provided the means to carry out his covert activities over the past seven years, and earned him the Phantom Sheikh title. His absence had always been blamed on a lover, and most of the time that had been far from the truth. Most of the time. He hadn’t been celibate by any means, but he had not had as many affairs as what the media had led people to believe. If he had, he would have been perpetually sleep deprived.
He also recognized that giving in to temptation with a woman like Madison Foster—an intelligent, beautiful and somewhat willful woman—could possibly lead to disaster. Still, he wasn’t one to easily ignore temptation, even if wisdom dictated that he must. And at the moment, Madison looked extremely tempting.
Zain